The Italian Billionaire’s Nubian Queen (BWWM Romance Book 1) Read online

  “Sorry!” she yelped before she could stop herself.

  “Do you not look where you’re going?”

  “I… Well, you weren’t looking where you were going, either,” she pointed out, her temper awakening and steadying her wobbly legs. It was true enough. It took two to… walk into each other, not just to tango.

  “I beg your pardon, Ms. Benjamin. Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. I’m… Sorry. I was lost in… Well, actually, I just met your brother a little way back.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He looked at her as if she was crazy.

  “What? Gabriel Colombo, he said his name was, and he looked a lot like you, so I assumed he was your brother. Wasn’t he your brother? Oh God I made such a fool of myself if he’s not your brother! I talked to him as if he knew all about Colombo wines!”

  “Calm down, please. Gabriel Colombo is my brother, but he’s not here, at this event.”

  Alyssa frowned.

  “Really? About as tall as you are—Well, no, actually, probably about an inch or two shorter than you are. I misremembered how tall you are, I think. Hair a shade or two darker than yours, blue eyes, and a very Italian accent. Did you go to different schools or something? How is it that he has an accent and you don’t?”

  Why was she blathering on like that? He'd gone completely still. His hands were still on her arms and the grip tightened uncomfortably.

  She tried to pull away, but he didn’t even seem to notice that he was holding her, let alone holding her too tight.

  “Could you let me go? I’m fine now.”

  “Oh. Yes, of course.”

  He dropped her like she was a piece of hot coal. She rubbed her arms, glad she didn’t bruise easily. The man really should have a care for how strong he was.

  “I apologize, Ms. Benjamin. You caught me by surprise.”

  “I’m the one who feels caught. You have very strong hands,” grumbled Alyssa.

  To her surprise, he looked absolutely chagrined and ashamed. She unbent just a little. He looked human, for once.

  “It’s okay, you just don’t know how hard you grip things sometimes. It happens. Like when you accidentally bruise peaches.”

  “Have I bruised you?”

  Now he looked absolutely appalled.

  “No, no,” she assured him hastily. “I don’t bruise easily. I’m fine, really. So you didn’t know your brother was here? Maybe I was mistaken. I’ve never seen him before.”

  “I’m quite sure you weren’t mistaken, Ms. Benjamin. I don’t think you make mistakes so easily.”

  Was there something hidden under those words? No, she was imagining it again. Boy, her imagination sure was running wild. She needed it to take a break. A long break, if possible.

  “I try not to. I’m pretty sure it was him. Maybe there was some kind of miscommunication. You know, like a scheduling conflict. I’m sure it’s no big deal. Anyway, it can’t be a bad thing to have the brand represented twice over like this, can it? I’m sure it will all be just fine.”

  Babbling again. She was babbling again, and what difference did it make to her whether things turned out fine for his brand? It had nothing to do with her. Absolutely nothing to do with her!

  “Let me walk you back to your cabin.”

  Alyssa frowned.

  “I’m out for a walk.”

  “Of course. I… Breakfast. Isn’t it time for breakfast?”

  “What? I guess. I wanted to go for a walk before breakfast.”

  “Yes, of course. Lunch, then.”

  Alyssa looked at the man closely. Had he, unlikely as it seemed, hit his head somewhere when she’d run into him?

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Colombo, but what on earth are you talking about?”

  “Have lunch with me. Please.”

  He looked like he’d had to remind himself to say that last word.

  “Well, that is an improvement on last night.”

  “I… Excuse me?”

  Alyssa could’ve bitten her tongue. Last night, why had she brought up last night? He couldn’t know what her dreams had been like, of course that was impossible, but she knew it, and she really didn’t want to think about all of those dreams, not when he was standing right there next to her, looking at her like that, as if…

  “Sorry. I didn’t sleep too well.”

  “That makes two of us. Ms. Benjamin, it looks like we got off on the wrong foot with each other. But now that you've run into me and apparently given me some brain damage in the process, you could make amends by having lunch with me.”

  “What?”

  “Say you will have lunch with me, Ms. Benjamin.”

  She just looked at him.

  “Please,” he added, as if reminded by her look.

  Alyssa had to grin.

  “Call me Alyssa. And thank you, I do appreciate the offer, but I’m here with my sister and my friends, as I’m sure you saw. We have plans for lunch. Well, I think we have plans for lunch. Did we make plans for lunch? A lot of last night is a bit of a blur.”

  “I know how you feel,” he murmured, and Alyssa had to keep herself from biting her lip in embarrassment.

  She was willing to bet that he didn’t.

  “Well then… Take care?” she asked tentatively, backing away slowly.

  How odd. She’d felt that need to put distance between her and Gabriel, but the thought of being far away from Matteo…

  “Lunch,” she blurted out.

  “Yes?”

  “Lunch. Yes.”

  Matteo smiled at her and Alyssa told herself that at some point, she would give herself credit for not swooning right at his feet then.

  Good God, what a smile! Was he allowed to have it without a permit? He should need a concealed carry or something of the sort with a smile like that!

  “Lunch. I don’t know, I might be busy.”

  Alyssa frowned, confused, before she realized that he was teasing her.

  Well, how about that. He had jokes.

  “I’m sure you can make time for me. How about a picnic?”

  She was already trying to figure out ways to have lunch with Matteo Colombo without her friends and her sister getting all over it. She would have to find a way to excuse herself, and then stay out of sight, and…

  “A picnic. It’s been years. All right, I can handle that. I’ll meet you here at one.”

  “I… Hold on, that’s a bit…”

  “At one, Alyssa. Do you have any allergies?”

  Alyssa shook her head.

  “Good. Anything you dislike?”

  She shook her head again. There were plenty of things she disliked, but she couldn’t think of any of them right at that moment.

  “Then I will see you at one. Take care, Alyssa.”

  She nodded, and before she could come up with more ways to make herself look and feel like a fool, she turned around.

  “Let me walk you to your cabin.”

  She turned back, ready to say no. She didn’t need an escort to go to the cabin, for heaven’s sake. It was just a couple of minutes away. She hadn’t even gotten that walk but the way her heart was thundering, she felt like she’d gotten her workout anyway.

  “Please.” And he smiled.

  “Oh, all right,” she conceded, and fell into step beside him. He didn’t try to grab her hand, or touch her in any way. He seemed too preoccupied to even talk to her.

  “Did I really hurt you?” he asked rather abruptly.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. I promise. I’ve had worse from fighting with my sister.”

  “Your sister. She’s the one who looks like you, but sad.”

  “Do you think she looks sad, really?”

  “Doesn’t she? I’m sorry, maybe I overstep.”

  “No. I didn’t think you’d notice something like that.”

  He gave her a glance that made her feel rather small.

  “You believe in judging people you don’t know, do you?”

  That wa
s fair enough. She just shrugged.

  “I’m here. Thank you for walking me back. It wasn’t necessary, but…”

  “You’re welcome, Alyssa, and it was my pleasure. One, please remember.”

  Alyssa sighed.

  “I remember. I’ll be there.”

  “Aly? Is that you?”

  “That’s Bree. I’ve got to go. One, great,” said Alyssa, and she didn’t wait for Matteo to leave before darting inside and closing the door behind her. She stood there for a long moment, wondering just what had happened. What had all that been about?

  What weird stuff was going on between Gabriel and Matteo Colombo? There was definitely something very strange going on there. Gabriel was probably the charmer, but he’d come across as a little too charming to her. Something about him had warned her not to trust him, though she couldn’t figure out what.

  Was she judging people she didn’t know, as Matteo had accused her of doing?

  Maybe she was. But she trusted her instincts. So why was it that her instincts had warned her that spending too much time with Matteo Colombo would turn her life upside down, and she'd still said yes?

  Chapter 5

  So, Gabriel was there.

  Matteo didn’t know why he was surprised, to be honest. Gabriel managed to do what he shouldn’t. That was what he did.

  But why there?

  He would soon find out, of course. Matteo walked back to his cottage, and there he was.

  “Gabriel.”

  “Well, brother dear! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

  “I decided to come last minute. What are you doing here?”

  “Now, what kind of a greeting is that? You know I like California!”

  “Do you?”

  “Always so serious. Do you want me to go away, brother?”

  Matteo was tempted to say yes, to be perfectly honest. He was tempted to tell his brother to pack up and go away.

  “To your own cottage, yes. Do you want to be included in the schedule today? Lead a wine tasting session? Deliver an address?”

  “God, no,” said Gabriel with a shudder.

  But of course not. Gabriel didn’t like doing all of that. He liked giving interviews, preferably one-on-ones, and he liked board meetings where he could throw his weight around. And the weight of his shares, of course.

  “Then I hope you'll enjoy yourself. I must get to work.”

  “So serious. Always so serious. Mama says hello.”

  Matteo fought not to grit his teeth.

  “I’m sure she does. Really, Gabriel, isn’t there anywhere else in California you would rather be? Explaining why you’re here but not a part of the event will be difficult.”

  “I’m sure you will find a way, of course. You always do, don’t you? Now, excellent idea, for me to get back to my cottage. Nice improvements, by the way. The amenities are impressive. Especially the beauties.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The tall, dark, curly-haired one with the golden eyes, of course.”

  Matteo froze.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You haven’t met her yet? That’s right, you wouldn’t step out on Martina, would you?”

  Matteo resisted the urge to punch his brother. Gabriel was the only one in his life who could push his buttons like this. Affection, family loyalty—Matteo reminded himself of all the reasons why punching him would be a bad idea.

  “You go too far, Gabriel. Please go to your cottage. Try and stay out of my way if you’re not here to work.”

  “Gladly,” remarked his brother, and turned around and walked away. He cut a dramatic figure, striding away like that.

  What on earth was going on? Why was Gabriel even there?

  More importantly, was he pursuing Alyssa Benjamin? Everything in Matteo resisted the idea. No, Gabriel couldn’t have her.

  Even as a child, Gabriel had always wanted what Matteo had. Even if Gabriel had always had more, even if Gabriel had gotten all the love and Matteo all the duty, his little brother had been jealous. Matteo knew that Gabriel wanted more, but he didn’t want to do the work. Just as important, he had neither the passion nor the skill. Or even the inclination to develop the skill.

  But this was unexpected. Gabriel usually put his head down and stayed out of the way when he was around. He didn’t attempt to go head to head with him, not like this.

  Matteo believed in being prepared. He grabbed his phone.

  “Mr. Colombo, what do you need?”

  “Gabriel is here. I need you to see if you can find out why.”

  There was a moment of hesitation.

  “Of course, Mr. Colombo. I'll do whatever I can.”

  “Thank you, Claudia. Oh, I need you to arrange a picnic lunch for me.”

  Now there was a moment of shock. It was odd how he had learned to read Claudia’s silences. They’d worked together for about eight years. They knew each other very well, indeed.

  “Yes, of course. Are there any preferences or allergies?”

  “None that I know of. No diet restrictions. A picnic for two.”

  “Of course, Mr. Colombo. It will be ready by 12.50, if that works for you.”

  “Great. Thanks, Claudia.”

  “I… Of course, Mr. Colombo. I'll be there in half an hour to go over the keynote address, if you’re free.”

  “Yes, sure. Sure thing.”

  Matteo pushed all distractions, even the increasingly welcome distraction of Alyssa, out of his mind and got to work. It was a lighter workload than usual, as far as he was concerned, but it was still more work than most executives did all day.

  Time didn’t fly. It never did, for him. He was always precisely aware of the ticking of time, and his own time was always planned down to the second. If Claudia found anything about him different, she didn’t mention it.

  By the ten, when it was time to officially kick off the event, Matteo felt more like himself. But as he stood, ready to deliver the speech and lead the wine tasting, he looked for her, and he found her. Wild, and beautiful, with passion shining in her eyes, she was as powerful standing there in the sunlight as she'd been in his dream. She was compelling. He had to find out if it had just been a dream, after all. He had to find out if it had been more than that. He had to…

  He had to find out who she was.

  He was about to begin when Gabriel made his entrance. Heads turned, because why wouldn’t they? He was the brother and heir to all of that fortune, and he was beautiful, charming, and intelligent.

  Matteo waited until heads turned back to him, and when he started speaking, nobody turned away again. This was his passion, his life. He could make people feel the joy he felt when he made those wines, when he planned ways to protect everything he made, when he wrought his legacy so carefully.

  But his eyes were drawn, over and over again, to Alyssa. She stood out. Did she know that? She outshone everybody.

  Especially when he announced that it was time for the tasting.

  He couldn’t keep his eyes away from her, not when he talked everybody through the process. She was everything he could have hoped for, and he knew that she appreciated every note, every hint and every accent, as much as he could have hoped. When she finally opened her eyes and smiled, nodded as if it had been everything she’d wanted, something unknotted inside him.

  She was twisting him up in knots, this woman, and he didn’t know what to do about it. She was doing things to him that he hadn’t known anybody could do to him.

  When it was time to break for lunch, Matteo slipped away as soon as he could, and anticipation mounted as he walked to their rendezvous point. The picnic basket was, of course, waiting for him.

  Alyssa, however, was not.

  Frowning, he sat on the bench and waited. And he waited some more, until he got annoyed, and then some more annoyed.

  Where was she?

  ***

  Alyssa had a job to do. She had to extricate herself from her friends and her sister. Ap
parently, she'd made a lot of new friends, too, so there were a lot of excuses to make.

  She got as far as Naomi before she was stopped again.

  “What do you mean, you have to go? Are you all right? Do you need a doctor?”

  “Of course not! Why would I need a doctor?”

  “Well, the wine and food are here and you’re headed the other way.”

  That, she had to concede, was actually a pretty fair point.

  “I forgot something, that’s all.”

  “Well, then I’ll keep you company.”

  “Isn’t that Howie calling you?”

  “Where? Oh!”

  Alyssa made her escape, and she was on the path when she felt the air change. She wasn’t alone anymore, and she wanted to be.

  “Gabriel.”

  “I do like how you say my name, Alyssa.”

  “I… Okay. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to meet somebody. Would you excuse me?”

  “Meet me, instead.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t meet anybody else. Leave them waiting. Leave him waiting. Come with me instead.”

  He grinned at her, a lazy, beautiful grin that must usually be irresistible.

  “It’s a tempting offer but I can’t do that.”

  “Why not? You hold the whole world in the palm of your hand, Alyssa. You can do whatever you want.”

  Alyssa chuckled, startled.

  “I wish I did. But I very obviously don’t. Now, are you headed this way?” asked Alyssa, indicating a direction when they got to a fork in the path.

  “I am.”

  “Then here we must part because I'm heading this way,” she told him, feeling very clever, indicating the other direction, and before he could stop her, she darted away. She was glad she’d worn comfortable shoes, at least. The ballet flats were not exactly high fashion, but they were comfortable and she didn’t resent the long way she’d have to take now to get to Matteo.

  “Shit!”

  She was twenty minutes late. Had Gabriel really kept her that long? There was just something a little unsavory about him, decided Alyssa as she walked faster, hoping that Matteo hadn’t gotten tired of waiting for her. Gabriel made her feel as if he was a man who was used to getting his way, no matter what. She didn’t think that simple things like rules and ethical considerations would stop him when he really wanted somebody.